Despite a strong start to Wauneta-Palisade’s State Basketball Tournament appearance, the Lady Broncos were unable to keep up with top-seeded Falls City Sacred Heart in the second half.

Trailing 19-23 at halftime, WP lost 25-45.

FCSH scored seven total points on three straight possessions and opened up a 7-2 lead as the Broncos could only manage a basket by Abbie Fanning. WP cut into the lead with one free throw by Fanning and a putback by Tailor Lee off the missed second free throw.

The teams traded baskets with Lee adding another bucket with an assist from Fanning.

Two free throws by FCSH with 17.4 seconds remaining in the quarter gave the Irish a 11-7 lead at the end of the first eight minutes.

After FCSH scored the opening basket of the second quarter, Lee scored for the Broncos. The Irish opened up a 17-9 lead behind two free throws and a basket.

Lee moved WP into double figures with her fourth basket and a steal and layup by Fanning brought WP back to within four, 13-17.

WP responded to a putback by FCSH with a driving bucket by Sydnee Harchelroad, then, after one free throw by FCSH, Brooklyn Nordhausen scored with an assist from Lee to bring the score to 17-20.

FCSH answered Nordhausen’s basket with a three-pointer. Lee closed out first half scoring with two free throws with 36.1 seconds left.

WP coach Betsy Johanson said her team did a great job in the first half defensively.

“We played awesome defense in the first half. We didn’t want to give up any easy shots and did a great job.”

The third quarter was disastrous for the Broncos.

WP was unable to score on its first 10 possessions, while giving up 17 points to FCSH.

Harchelroad broke the streak with a three-pointer with one- minute left in the quarter.

On the ensuing Irish possession, Fanning got a steal and dished to Harchelroad who made the layup and was fouled. With 49.1 seconds left in the quarter, Harchelroad made the free throw, WP’s final points of the game.

The Irish came out of the huddle and put on the brakes, stalling for much of the final eight minutes. In no hurry, FCSH scored only five points in the fourth quarter, a three-pointer and a two-pointer. Johanson said it was frustrating to watch FCSH stall in the fourth quarter.

WP missed all four fourth quarter field goal attempts.

Johanson said she felt like her team ran out of steam in the second half, but FCSH started making the tougher shots.

“FCSH is young and they’re going to continue to be good,” she said.

Lee led WP with 10 points. Harchelroad finished with eight points.

FCSH’s season leading scorer Maggie Goltz finished with 10 points. Fanning, 5’5”, drew the job of shutting down the 6’1” sophomore.

“Abbie did really well,” said Johanson. “She’s a great defender and hard worker.”

WP (17-9) finishes the season ranked tenth by the Lincoln Journal Star and ninth by the Omaha World Herald.

“Being able to go to state was a good experience and the cap of a great season,” said Johanson.